In response‚ teachers locked the gates‚ however protesters attempted to force open a gate into the school. A police source‚ who spoke to TimesLIVE on condition of anonymity‚ said that BLF students had allegedly threatened to set a police officer on fire.
The group was then arrested and detained. Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala confirmed the arrests‚ saying that the group would be charged with public violence.
Education Department spokesperson Kwazi Mthethwa said that teaching at the school continued‚ despite disruptions.
“Teachers occupied all classrooms and taught. Outside protesters have also been dispersed by the police‚” he said. “We are battling with the union leaderships from various unions who want to take our teachers‚ their members out‚ in the name of safety and security. We don't allow unions to take staff away from the school‚” he added.